RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has asked the Local Government Department to ensure the implementation of free birth and death registration across the province, including the Rawalpindi division.

Under the initiative of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, there will be no fee for the timely registration of births and deaths.

According to a press release, this was informed in a meeting with Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamer Khattak in the chair.

It was attended by Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema, Director Local Government Syed Sibtain Kazmi and senior officials of the district administration.

Local government officials informed the meeting that the implementation of the Punjab chief minister’s directive is being ensured across the division.

Moreover, awareness banners have been placed in all concerned offices to inform the public.

They said that new fees have been implemented from April 21, 2025, according to a notification issued by the Local Government Department. As per the notification, there will be no fee for timely registration. However, a fee has been fixed for delayed registration.

A fee of Rs200 to Rs1,000 will be charged for delayed registration of birth or death, respectively, for Pakistani citizens.

Similarly, a fee of Rs1,000 will be imposed for a Pakistani citizen residing abroad, and Rs2,000 for the birth registration of foreigners.

Apart from this, Rs500 has been fixed for any correction or change, while a fee of Rs200 has been set for the issuance of a duplicate certificate. Additionally, the condition of a court decree has been abolished in the case of late registration.

According to the new rules, the registration of births will be under the authority of the relevant secretary of the union council until the age of one year.

Similarly, registration up to the age of seven will be under the authority of the concerned assistant director, while registration after seven years will be under the authority of the concerned deputy director.

In the case of a delay of more than seven years, a newspaper advertisement will be mandatory and the registration fee will also be applicable.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2025